The Patterson/Florida story really did not make Steve or his efforts look good at all. It didn't read as a very balanced piece, regardless of which side of the issue the reader is on.

Travis, I rather enjoyed the article.

Is anyone going to run againt Ms. Florida in case she is actually recalled?

Is the political process really that out of whack? Uncontested candidates being recalled halfway through their second terms should be a red flag that something is wrong. I think 'that something' is Politicians who do not see any competition are not motivated to take the public very seriously.

I do not think that the recall process should be changed, just used with more care. I would prefer a more competitive process.

The worst part of the recall process is that there is no primary held for special election, meaning the parties, not the people, get to pick the successor. And in a one-party town, that means the people are at the mercy of City Dems to pick a good successor, since such nominee is historically guaranteed to win the special election.

Looking at the recent recall in the 24th, Bauer was arrogant (and still is stirring the pot at neighborhood meetings), suing his own constituents, but development did happen all over Dogtown during his aldermanic tenure. Now, residential infill has seemed to slow-down under Waterhouse.

In comparison, Florida is conniving, hiding information at neighborhood meetings and bullying any colleague that doesn't adhere to the longstanding tradition of aldermanic courtesy. However, the 15th ward is on the upswing, though South Grand could certainly due without a relocated, subsidized and spot-zoned Mickey D's. Still, as much as I dislike drive-thrus within an urban environment, I have to relunctantly admit that South Grand would still survive if McDonald's moved, despite such a wasted opportunity built yet again.

Is it silly to recall an alderman over one project? A definite YES. But many folks in Clifton Heights voted to recall Bauer just over the Drury, even though the greater issue was eminent domain, especially its application elsewhere (Dogtown) in the ward, and the new hotel virtually a done deal by the time of the recall. Similarly, Florida could have everything in place for a McDonald's move prior to a recall vote.

But seeing as how Waterhouse wasn't much improvement over Bauer, I think Florida's opponents should definitely be thinking about how progressive or urban-friendly any successor may or may not be. Patterson didn't like Inside Dirt's snarky comments, but the point to be made was whether there is any promise for the divisive 15th in the ousted-J-Flo afterlife.

The beauty of swapping Florida for the Greg Thomas pick will be the post-election blog whining about how the political process sucks. Oh, if only Thomas could nominate Landslide Marge. That would be sweet.

The process does not suck. The process works as well as people are willing to make it work for them.

My advice for those who do not like municipal partisan elections is to move elsewhere where they provide nonpartisan elections because the process is not going to change here. We are just fine with a system where even a rassler can almost become an alderman.

"Marge" would not come anywhere near this process. Because she would be recalled if she tried to do anything but spoon feed the squeaky wheels. In a system that is working, a "rassler" can become Governor. Maybe we should have a look at the A/C if we cannot stand the heat in the kitchen. Or, do dissenting opinions need to be squashed and swept out to the counties?

The process sucks!!!

Landslide Marge is exactly the kind of alderman ward 15 will end up with should there be a successful recall of Jennifer Florida.

While Marge barely defeated a rassler, another rassler of sorts, Kenny Jones, successfully made it to the Board of Aldermen as an Independent.

The process is what people make it. Change came to the 24th Ward because people made it so.

I forgot to mention earlier, more of the City's frequent voter class read Town Talk than read blogs.

^But the Town Talk readers are a dying breed, and quite literally, if southside seniors. Slay partly ran for mayor when he did, knowing that his base was quickly fading. And as long as northside politicos just fight to win representation over vacant lots and pretend as if the southside isn't where many now largely live, then citywide elections can be tipped by central corridor and near-southside voters.

And it's in these very wards within central and near-southside City, where it can no longer be ward politics as usual. That's because these areas are attracting many new residents, who may largely lean liberal, but lack loyalty to the City party. And this audience that will increasingly make a difference, while the southside transitions and the northside fights itself, does read blogs more than Town Talk.

IOW, eventually new voters will make a difference among the traditionally divided "frequent voters," and this new breed of voter communicates outside of the ward machine.

Howard, don't you see Kenny Jones as an elected official as a call for the party to at the very least pay attention to the issues that let him gain that victory. At the best, competition makes parties bring their A players. It is kind of funny that you mention Kenny in a thread about abuse of the recall process though.

If you don't like the decisions a politician makes while in office, run against them at the next election - that's why we have elections on a regular basis.

Asking the 2 committeepeople to choose our alderman instead just doesn't make any sense to me. Especially when we know that these committeepeople are not felt to represent the views of our entire ward.

God where to begin?

- The makeup of the southside is definetly turning to a younger demographic and though these are folks who read blogs and the paper these are also the same folks who dont normally vote. Hate to say it but it's been true from what Ive seen in the last three elections. It will take someone to galavanise these folks as soon as they get into these neighborhoods and get them involved. Otherwise, you will get the last of the old school southsider politicos deciding things for the next ten years or so

- As a resident of the 24th ward we actually nominated our candidate for alderman via the 24th ward regular democratic organization. We listened to a group of candidates and voted. Waterhouse was our nominee. We also applied this when it came time for committeeman. Though Bauer was able to get some development done while alderman, i think it's wrong to say that uder waterhouse residential infill has been slow. From what Ive seen the development has been strong enough to warrant the building of many new townhomes and condos. Also take into effect that he was literally just elected so there is a learning curve that should be afforded ya know?

I agree with Jan- run for office

Though it is harder, an independent can win a special election so I wouldn't say 2 committee people are choosing our alderman. They're choosing the front runner.

From talking with some members of the 15th Ward, it appears the McDonald's issue is just the straw breaking the camel's back.

What bothers me, is she's attacking the messenger. Florida is blaming Steve Patterson for her problems when really the problem is her not listening to her constituents.

Her defense of the deal has been poor thus far. Florida can avoid this recall if she sucks it up, pulls the plug on the McDonald's and takes the political lost. Losing a skirmish is better than facing a recall she can definitely lose.

While I moved out of the 15th some time ago and there is more disappointment with Jennifer than I would have expected, I don't see how the recall passes. The numbers are pretty hard, and she's been walking the Gravois Park area which simply doesn't include that many voters. The geographic separation of the site from the population base of the ward shouldn't be underestimated.

I would imagine there are some people with very strong feelings about McDonald's but not that many, and the electronic form of the debate is warping the perceived level of support.

Jennifer is certainly in a stronger position than Kirner was in her race against Steve, and there's even a threat of Thomas on the other end giving her leverage to push back against a recall.

So, it seems that most agree. Recall the scoundrels and vote out the dullards. I can count on your support. We will see...